‘He’s Got The Fire Back’ – Jonathan Di Bella Predicts Rodtang Over Nong-O, Calls Shimon-Ondash A Toss-Up
ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Di Bella has built a career out of breaking down opponents in the ring. This week, he gets a rare chance to turn that sharp eye on someone else’s fights.
The 2026-2027 ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix kicks off with the quarterfinal round at The Inner Circle 38, live from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, November 13. In the main event, which streams exclusively for members via live.onefc.com, #2-ranked Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon will face off against #3-ranked Nong-O Hama.
Then, in the opening contest of ONE Friday Fights 178, #4-ranked Shimon Yoshinari will collide with #5-ranked Ramadan “The Scorpion” Ondash. The action streams live in Asia primetime, and it will be available via ONE Championship’s social media platforms and global broadcast partners.
Predictions have poured in since the bracket was unveiled, and Di Bella is happy to add his own. Here is how he sees both quarterfinal matches playing out.
Di Bella Expects A Revitalized Rodtang Against Nong-O
Di Bella is as eager as anyone to see what is arguably one of the biggest matchups in modern Muay Thai history.
Former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang and former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O were originally booked to meet at ONE 173 last November. The match was canceled, however, when “The Iron Man” fell ill and his compatriot failed to make weight.
Now, to the delight of fans around the globe, their long-awaited showdown is finally back on the table. The two Thai icons share deep mutual respect, but none of it will matter once the opening bell sounds. When it does, Di Bella expects to see a vintage version of “The Iron Man.”
The ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion told onefc.com:
“That’s a good fight. It’s two veterans, and I think Rodtang will win because he’s younger, and now he’s hungrier than ever after that Takeru loss.
“He has to reset. He’s got the fire back, and he wants to win.”
The 30-year-old has stood in Rodtang’s shoes before.
Di Bella’s first and only professional loss came against then-two division king Prajanchai Pongsuphan PK in 2024. Rather than break him, that defeat sharpened the Italian-Canadian ace, and he later avenged that loss to unify the kickboxing crown at ONE Fight Night 36 a year later.
Rodtang now finds himself in that same position after ONE Hall of Famer Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa stopped him in the fifth round of their rematch at ONE SAMURAI 1 this past April. For a fighter who built his name on walking through punishment, it was a rare night on the wrong end of the exchanges.
Di Bella said:
“Rodtang needs this one more [than Nong-O] because he’s coming off a loss. It’s the first time he’s been knocked out in ONE.
“I think he needs a win really bad to keep his name up there and still be in title contention. Because after a loss like that, it could hurt your career.”
Di Bella’s faith in Rodtang only grows with the glowing reports he has received from their mutual ally, Peter Miller of Condition Nutrition.
As much as he respects Nong-O, the Italian-Canadian star believes this showdown will live up to every bit of the hype, and that “The Iron Man” will be the one who advances to the semifinals.
The Montreal native added:
“He looks fresh. What I’ve been hearing is all good things. My nutritionist said he’s on track, and he’s working hard in the gym.
“Nong-O, he’s done a lot in the past. He’s [won] his World Championship titles, but Rodtang is still not done yet. I do think Rodtang will win by decision, but I’m a big fan of Nong-O as well.”
Di Bella Tabs Shimon-Ondash As A Fight Of The Night Contender
Whoever emerges from the main event will meet the winner of the Shimon Yoshinari versus Ramadan Ondash battle.
The depth of this field stretches well beyond November 13. Even reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Asadula “The Dagestan Ninja” Imangazaliev is in the bracket, putting his belt on the line against #1-ranked Aslamjon “El Pantera” Ortikov in a rematch at The Inner Circle 39 on November 20.
For Di Bella, though, the clash between Shimon and Ondash is the one to watch.
The strawweight kickboxing ruler said:
“This is a great matchup. These two are both young guns, and both of them have great styles.
“It’s going to be one of the fights of the night and one of the matches of the tournament. They’re both technical, strong, fast, and very skilled.”
Their resumes tell two very different stories. The 22-year-old Shimon remains unbeaten through six ONE Championship appearances, while the 20-year-old Ondash has compiled back-to-back wins since moving up from the strawweight ranks.
For a technician like Di Bella, that kind of contrast is exactly what makes a fight worth watching.
The Italian-Canadian striker explained:
“I feel like Ramadan has more of an aggressive style, and he tries to go for a knockout. And Shimon has more of a counter-punch style, and he has good kicks and good reach.”
Throughout his reign, Di Bella has been nothing if not decisive, throwing every shot with clear intent. However, when it comes to this matchup, even he finds himself torn.
With so little separating the two, and 4-ounce gloves leaving no margin for error, anything can happen. Like everyone else, the ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion will sit back and enjoy the show.
He said:
“It’s 50-50. I can’t call this one. Honestly, it’s a crazy match.”
